Box Score Box Score
ELON, NC – After battling for two regulation periods and two overtimes, the Winthrop women's soccer team tied the Elon Phoenix 0-0 on Sunday evening at Rudd Field.
The Lady Eagles record is now 0-1-1 on the season, while the Phoenix are 0-0-1.
“I think in the first half we did not come out and play very well,” said head coach Melissa Heinz. “The second half, though, we stepped up the intensity. That was what made the game change in the second half. Capitalizing on that intensity is something we needed to do.”
Defense was the name of the game in the first half as both teams were held scoreless, despite numerous opportunities for Winthrop and Elon.
The Phoenix outshot the Lady Eagles 8-2 in the first stanza, and also held a 4-2 advantage in shots-on-goal. Elon also had five corner kicks in the half.
Kelsy Weavil snagged four saves for Winthrop, while Phoenix goalkeeper Sydney Little had two saves.
Both defenses held strong in the second half as a total of nine shots were taken, but no goals were scored.
The game intensified in the first and second overtime periods as both the Lady Eagles and Elon had opportunities to score game-winning goals. Winthrop started things off in the first overtime when Rachel Webster's shot from 25-yards out just missed wide left of the goal. The Lady Eagles followed that up when a Kylene Babauta crossing pass sailed too high of her intended target and went wide of the net. The Phoenix had one final chance in the final seconds of the second overtime period when a Molly Calpin header just in front of Weavil went over the goal.
Webster and Allie VandeWater finished the game with a team-high two shots apiece, while Calpin led the Phoenix with five shots.
Elon took a total of 21 shots on the evening, while Winthrop had seven shots. The Phoenix also had 13 corner kicks and the Lady Eagles had three.
Weavil concluded the match with a career-high nine saves and her first shutout. Little snagged four saves for Elon.
“If we are going to keep stepping forward and improving on what we are making mistakes on and learning from each game, then I am pleased,” Heinz added.
The Lady Eagles will return to action on Friday, Sept. 4 as they travel to Huntington, WV to take on Marshall at 7 p.m.
